Tip: New Annunciator Panel - Page 3

Ironflight · #21 02-21-2008, 01:09 PM

Very good points Steve - a light that is always on is as useless as no light at all. In my design, any light that is on is a "reminder" that I should do something to get it off - none of them is intended to stay on for very long. The different colors do, of course, imply that it's OK to have a green light on (versus a red light, that says something is actually BAD), but still, the idea is that you don't want them on for any longer than necessary.

As long as a light is on, it is telling me that I am not in a "final" configuration.

Paul

Paul

CraigC · #22 02-21-2008, 07:08 PM

Paul,

Dark cockpit concept?

Ironflight · #23 02-21-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigC

Paul,

Dark cockpit concept?

Yes, essentially! When it's dark, I can sleep much more peacefully.....

BuckWynd · #24 02-21-2008, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

a light that is always on is as useless as no light at all. In my design, any light that is on is a "reminder" that I should do something to get it off - none of them is intended to stay on for very long. <snip> the idea is that you don't want them on for any longer than necessary. As long as a light is on, it is telling me that I am not in a "final" configuration.

Yep, that's a great way to think about it, and just what I was thinking when I was designing mine. I like a dark-cockpit philosophy for the enroute portion of the flight, and carefully-chosen lights that indicate the status of some of the switches during takeoff, climbout, approach-to-field, and landing. Of course, this setup does not necessarily mean the system is operating, just that the switch is in the proper position -- but it's still very helpful, in my opinion.

One of my lights will be different from the others. I plan to wire the pitot heat circuit with a reed switch and a simple circuit so that if the pitot heater fails (no current flowing) while the switch is ON, the light will actually flash. Should get even my attention.

robertcs · #25 02-22-2008, 12:51 PM

Paul,
I am interested in knowing about the activation of your MASTER CAUTION, ESS BUSS, and EXT PWR lights. EXT PWR is actually pretty easy but what events trigger the MASTER CAUTION? I am thinking the ESS BUSS light might come on when that buss is the only one being powered which would be a non-normal (amber) situation?

Ironflight · #26 02-22-2008, 01:49 PM

Robert,

Master Caution is driven by my EFIS - anytime I have a message on the EFIS, this light alerts me. The ESS BUS light is on when I have the Essential Bus powered from it's alternate feed. And as you guessed, EXT POWER just tells me there is a voltage on the input side of the external power jack, so I know if I am connected or not.

Paul

the_other_dougreeves · #27 02-22-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Very good points Steve - a light that is always on is as useless as no light at all.

I would argue that it's worse than no light at all! False alarms or things that are always lit both make for poor human interface, since people will ignore both. Then you start ignoring those things out of habit, and when they are important, you've learned to ignore them.... no bueno.

TODR

mgomez · #28 02-23-2008, 08:16 AM

How readable are those LED indicator lights in the daytime? I played around with NKK LED switches, and driving them with the maximum recommended current, they were very dim. OK in a dark cockpit, but not in the daytime.

I gather these are better? I like Paul's annunciator panel, btw!

Thanks,
Martin

Ironflight · #29 02-23-2008, 12:53 PM

It's going to be a matter of personal preference, of course Martin, but I find this to be acceptably bright in Daytime - no problem seeing them at all.

Paul

CraigC · #30 02-23-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Robert,

Master Caution is driven by my EFIS - anytime I have a message on the EFIS, this light alerts me. The ESS BUS light is on when I have the Essential Bus powered from it's alternate feed. And as you guessed, EXT POWER just tells me there is a voltage on the input side of the external power jack, so I know if I am connected or not.

Paul

Paul,

I am a big fan of Apollo 13. In every space movie or documentary I have seen of space flight NASA calls it a Master Alarm, yet in aviation (not space flight) we use Master Caution. Do you know what the origin of Master Alarm is?